For a long time now the International Federation of Poker has been fighting to have poker recognised as a “mind sport” and they have finally managed to win a victory of their own with Brazil, who will be hosting the 2016 World Mind Games, officially declaring that poker is a game of skill and have even given it “sport” status.
The Brazilian Sports Ministry has confirmed in a private meeting with the Confederacao Brasileira de Texas Hold’em (CBTH) that their registration has been accepted. You can find the following statement, issued by the CBTH, on the Brazilian Sports Ministry’s website:
“Poker is a competitive discipline, which requires the participant to have intelligence, ability, and intellectual and behavioral skills in order to succeed. The CBTH represents the most extended definition of poker, Texas Hold’em and all the other variants of this game including but not exclusively Omaha, Omaha High / Low, 7 Card Stud, 7 Card Stud High / Low, Razz and Mixed Games.”
Win Anticipated Among Poker Players
This decision will not come as a surprise to many poker players around the world as they have always known that the game is one of skill. Poker players know that the brain power used in the struggle to be the best will match or even be more than those skills used in games such as Chess or Bridge.
The IFP have long since been promoting the game of poker and this decision will go a long way in their fight to prove that this wonderful game of poker and any of its variations are a game of skill and that you need brain power, talent and determination to succeed in this great sporting game.
John
- hailing from Watford, UK John became hooked on the game of poker ever since his uncle taught him the rules of 7-card stud during a home game at the young age of 15. He caught the online bug three short years later after turning 18 and began regularly playing Texas Hold'em SNGs.
